Clinical Team Leader

Job responsibilities

JOB SUMMARY

This job description is an outline of the main duties of the post. The postholder will be required to undertake other duties commensurate with the grade as directed.

The content of this post will be reviewed in consultation with the postholder when necessary and in line with the service developments.

KEY RESULT AREAS:

To work closely with the Ward Manager to provide strong clinical and managerial leadership to the nursing team.

To demonstrate a commitment to the philosophy of acute services and the local service provision.

To be responsible and accountable for the high quality standards within the work of the team.

To actively work as an effective member of the team.

To utilise excellent core nursing/specialist skills.

To act as a positive and professional role model for junior staff and other colleagues at all times.

To oversee and support junior members of staff in implementing planned treatment and care.

To support the Ward Manager in carrying out his/her duties.

To act up in the absence of the ward manager and communicate fully with the ward manager upon their return.

The service operates 365 days/year twenty four hours per day.

Workload Management

• To work flexibly to cover shifts to provide a 365 day per year service
• Co-ordinate and lead the team to make effective use of team skills to provide the best possible standards of care and treatment / interventions
• To prioritise workload in keeping with the team and service objectives
• To support the Primary Nurses in raising issues or challenging opinion in complex cases.
• To support and empower colleagues to problem solve effectively.
• To actively participate and contribute to service users reviews, ward rounds, meetings
• To provide supervision to ensure that high quality care plans are developed and implemented.
• To ensure that the ward manager is fully appraised of issues.

Communication

• To actively work with the ward manager to develop a communication strategy at ward level
• To engage actively with the ward manager in a two way flow of communication.
• Actively support the philosophy of the Recovery Model within Adult Acute Inpatients.
• Role model excellent working relationships with all members of the Multi Disciplinary Team.
• Develop positive relationships with non-statutory and voluntary agencies to develop working partnerships as appropriate to the service development and local delivery
• Positively embrace service user / carer involvement in all aspects of service delivery wherever and whenever possible
• Act as a positive role model to develop and communicate a shared philosophy of culture and practice within the team.
• To work within the boundaries of accountability and confidentiality
• Ensure that the nursing team is fully briefed regarding relevant CQUINs and key performance indicators.

Human Resources / Supervision / Management

Ensure that high standards of care are maintained by self and peers

To provide professional direction, guidance and support to junior staff

Actively participate in and provide clinical supervision to a high standard

Actively participate in and provide managerial supervision to a high standard

Actively participate in the KSF Appraisal process

To actively promote other colleagues personal and professional development through the appraisal process in line with the objectives of the ward.

To positively promote discussion and reflection on practice with the aim of achieving higher clinical standards.

To participate in the selection and recruitment process

To recognize poor performance and take the necessary action

Ensure that good practice is acknowledged and recognized.

To participate in managing attendance

To actively participate in all aspects of managing attendance to include return to work interviews, informal sickness absence meetings and referrals to occupational health or as directed by the ward manager.

To actively participate in the ward management team meetings.

To appraise the ward manager of relevant issues.

Resource Management

Actively participate in the day to day resource management of the ward and be proactive in solving problems.

To have a good working knowledge of the electronic systems that support resource management.

To be able to formulate an Electronic roster and carry out any necessary changes

To assist in co-ordinating all leave e.g. study leave, annual leave.

To support staff to help them work within the budgetary constraints of the ward.

To undertake audits as required

To monitor staffing levels and take the necessary action if there are deficits or necessary staffing changes to be made.

To ensure induction of new staff is fully completed.

To appraise the ward manager of relevant issues.

Decision Making and Advice

To make comprehensive risk assessments and implement management plans appropriately

Identify training needs and contribute to the education and development of all staff and students.

To be actively involved in decision making and conflict management.

To play an active role in supporting and empowering junior colleagues.

To demonstrate excellent leadership skills through practice, both with service users and other professionals.

To ensure that the ward manager is fully appraised of any complex issues.

To be included in the senior nurse rota for trust wide in-patient services, providing advice outside of business hours and escalating issues to operational management as required

Initiating and Implementing Change

To work as an active member of the team with regards to the development of the productive ward series.

• To actively take a lead in creating an environment that respects and values equality, diversity and rights
• To actively take a lead in creating an environment that promotes health, safety and security for service users, carers and staff
• To actively take a lead, both individually and in partnership with the team, to develop clinical governance
• To lead in the development and dissemination of evidence based practice.
• To have an excellent knowledge of current developments in clinical practice
• Actively promotes a positive desire to improve / change, be flexible and confident
• Actively promote and facilitate innovation of clinical practice
• To lead in positive customer service as specified by the Trusts Mission, Vision, Values and Goals
• To take an active lead in the change management of the service in relation to local and national agendas.
• To work closely with the ward manager and other deputies to ensure that the ward objectives are achieved.

Profession Specific

• To contribute specific professional support and advise to the team, service users and carers
• Maintain an up to date awareness of current thinking in mental health, health and nursing research, and apply this in practice
• Administer medication within the NMC and Trust guidelines
• To take a lead and train the team with issues relating to medication management
• Educate and train the team in monitoring service users physical observations including Blood Pressure, Pulse, Respirations, BM, Weight etc
• To take a lead in working collaboratively with all of the disciplines.
• Act as mentor for nursing students and foster a positive learning environment.
• To work actively with Link Tutors and Placement Co-ordinators to promote effective working relationships.
• To work collaboratively with the ward manager and other deputies to ensure a cohesive approach to the management of the ward.

Health & Safety

You are required to inform your line manager of any safety issues that could affect you or others in the workplace. You are responsible for your own health and safety and must co- operate with management at all times in achieving safer work processes and work places, particularly where it can impact on others.

You will be trained in the correct use of any equipment provided to improve safety and health within the Trust. You are required to use the equipment when necessary and as instructed; it is your responsibility to ensure the equipment is safe to use, prior to its use and must report any defects immediately to your manager.

Plus for supervisory grades

You are required to provide adequate supervision to ensure compliance with safe work practices.

You will be expected to carry out risk assessments, identify hazards in your work area, and evaluate the level of risk associated with identified hazards and implement adequate controls to eliminate or reduce the level of risk.

The postholder will support the Trusts commitment to a healthy work life balance and the achievement of the IWL Practice and Practice plus standard.

For full Job Description please see attached in Supporting Documents

Qualifications

Essential

• RMN. Diploma in Nursing.
• Willingness to undertake education to degree level

Desirable

• RMN. Diploma in Nursing.
• Willingness to undertake education to degree level

Experience

Essential

• Significant experience in Acute in-patient setting

Desirable

• Experience in similar areas of mental health.

Training

Essential

• Clear demonstrable evidence of post -
• Qualification and training.
• Experience of mentoring/supporting learners or ability to demonstrate the skills required for effective mentoring

Desirable

• NVQ assessor.
• PSI
• Leadership course

Special Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• Excellent communication skills
• Good co-ordination skills. Commitment to multi-disciplinary decision making.
• Excellent assessment skills.
• Excellent engagement skills.
• Skills to de-escalate difficult situations
• Comprehensive knowledge of mental health act. Able to assess and manage risk positively.
• Calm & confident manner
• Clear knowledge of Trusts policies & procedures
• Awareness of modernisation agend.
• Leadership skills
• Ability to work in a way that promotes a culture of learning and change.

Desirable

• Undertaken study in patient interventions/assessment

Physical Attributes

Essential

• Ability to undertake the duties and demands of the post. A satisfactory sickness record over the previous 2 years (subject to the need to act with fairness and equality of opportunity, particularly where the sickness is related to a disability and/or pregnancy).
• Must be able to work flexible shifts over 24/7 span

Personal Attributes

Essential

• Reflective and considered approach to problem solving.
• Can act on own initiative.
• Can inspire confidence in colleagues and other professional.
• Can deal with conflict diplomatically.
• Demonstrates respect for the rights, dignity and individuality of each service user.
• Sensitive to the needs of people from minority ethnic and religious groups.
• Responds to the learning needs of students and other colleagues.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).